Smart Filters: Combine Criteria to Find the Exact File

Searching by name is rarely enough in an engineering library. Smart Filters are where DrawingManager becomes truly powerful: you can combine multiple criteria—file type, folders, and property values—so the result list shrinks from thousands of files to the handful you actually want.

Multi-criteria filtering (the real differentiator)

Smart Filters let you stack conditions in one search. Each filter narrows the result set, so you can go from a broad library to a precise shortlist without opening Solid Edge or browsing folders.

• Filename or contains search
• Solid Edge file type (PAR / ASM / PSM / DFT)
• File status Available vs Released
• Property filters (including custom properties)

Property filters that match how your team works

If your properties include material, revision, customer, project code, ERP number, or internal classification fields, you can filter on them directly. This unlocks searches like: all DFT files for customer X, or all parts with material containing “S355”.

Simple matching operators (today)

Smart Filters focus on fast, practical matching that works well in real libraries. You can filter properties using equals and contains style matching (similar to a %LIKE% contains search). This is ideal when property values vary slightly, or when you only remember part of a code.

Save filter sets for repeat workflows

Build a useful combination once, then save it as a named filter set. That makes repeat workflows a one-click action: “Customer X,” “Released drawings,” “Recent assemblies,” or “Project ABC parts.”

Start broad, then refine

Smart Filters support an exploratory way of working: begin with a broad query, then refine step-by-step until the list is exactly right. This is often faster than trying to craft the perfect search from the start—and it feels natural during design reuse and troubleshooting.

Roadmap: ranges and advanced operators

More advanced filtering options—like numeric ranges and boolean operators—are on the roadmap. The goal is to support even more engineering-style queries (for example, dimension ranges) while keeping the interface fast and simple.

Fast filtered search at scale

Smart Filters run against DrawingManager’s local index, which is optimized for filtering and fast lookups. Even with multiple filters enabled, results remain responsive on large libraries.

Bottom line: Smart Filters turn search into a precise tool. Instead of guessing filenames, you combine the clues you already know—type, properties, and location—and get to the right file quickly.